Leading footwear brand Allbirds have today announced the release of their newest running shoe, the Tree Flyer 2.
The design combines the latest in natural material and performance innovations, engineered to result in a smoother, more enjoyable run, no matter the duration. The Tree Flyer 2 was designed using direct consumer feedback, building on the base of its predecessor to maximise performance and minimise environmental impact.
“The Tree Flyer 2 is all about maximising the joy of movement, and giving people a shoe that they can feel great in and feel great about, one that serves their personal well-being and the well-being of the planet,” said Tim Brown, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer.
New innovative features include an updated rubber compound and lug pattern to provide improved traction, especially on wet surfaces, and overlays on the toe and midfoot for lateral security, increased stability and element protection.
The shoe is made from a breathable knit upper made with TENCEL™ Lyocell (eucalyptus tree fibre), overlaid with bio-based TPU skins for extra support, and lined with ZQ certified Merino wool to provide Allbirds signature level of comfort.
Allbirds’ innovative high-performance SwiftFoam midsole, made using bio-PEBAX, has been fine tuned to propel wearers through each stride with an estimated 70 percent rebound rate. Unlike industry-standard PEBAX midsoles, which are made from fossil oil and gas, Allbirds bio-PEBAX midsole is made with sustainably sourced castor beans, delivering the same lightweight and springy feel a runner is looking for, in a more plant-friendly package.
The SwiftFoam midsole is created in a single step, with no chemical additives and waste from the midsole making process is remelted to be used in the shoe’s external heel counter. Allbirds refer to this process as “instant circularity” as material waste is immediately recycled into other components of the shoe, rather than being put aside to potentially be recycled or reused at a later date.
“We want to bust the myth that natural materials and sustainable practices mean compromising performance. With the Tree Flyer 2, we’re showing that oftentimes, things that are better for the planet can come with benefits to the consumer,” said Aileen Lerch, Allbirds’ Senior Manager of Sustainability. “If we just take the tools out in nature and apply some creative thinking, the potential is enormous.”
